WHO warns! A new variant of the coronavirus is coming, and the existing vaccine system is at risk

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for two years since the end of 2019. However, due to multiple factors such as ineffective epidemic prevention in some countries and the emergence of the Delta variant of the new coronavirus, the global COVID-19 situation remains grim.

According to the latest data from the WHO website, as of 0:35 Beijing time on the 26th, the number of confirmed cases worldwide increased by 602,284 from the previous day, reaching a cumulative total of 258,830,438; the number of deaths increased by 8,155 to 5,174,646.

(Source: Pixabay)

It is undeniable that the high infectivity of the Delta variant of the coronavirus is an important factor in the rapid spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, researchers in South Africa have discovered a new coronavirus variant, B.1.1.529. The variant has more than 30 gene mutations in its spike protein, which is related to antibody resistance and infectivity.

Currently, the variant is spreading rapidly in South Africa, and the World Health Organization has also urgently convened a special meeting to discuss this new variant.

The menacing B.1.1.529

In November 2021, researchers first discovered a new coronavirus variant in Botswana, South Africa and named it B.1.1.529. Researchers found a large number of genetic mutations in this variant, which included mutations found in the Delta variant.

In the process of tracking the cases of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa, researchers found that the B.1.1.529 variant is spreading rapidly and has appeared in travelers from South Africa to Hong Kong. This means that the B.1.1.529 variant is spreading around the world. Subsequently, British experts warned that the B.1.1.529 variant of the new coronavirus found in Botswana, a southern African country, is likely to be a "super variant."

(Source: European News Agency)

In this regard, Penny Moore, a virologist at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, said: "We are evaluating the B.1.1.529 variant as quickly as possible." Currently, his laboratory is evaluating the impact of the variant's escape from vaccine defenses and immunity from previous infections. However, he also added, "It is too early to draw conclusions about B.1.1.529."

On November 25, Richard Lessells, an infectious disease expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, said at a press conference organized by the South African health department: "We don't know much about this new variant. This sudden situation makes us worried. Now we need to act quickly to understand the characteristics of this new variant and its significance for responding to the pandemic."

On November 16, the World Health Organization's expert group formally held a special meeting and may label the B.1.1.529 variant as a "variant of concern." At the briefing, Tulio de Oliveira, a bioinformatician at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, said, "If labeled by the World Health Organization, the variant may be named Nu, the next available letter in the Greek alphabet naming system for coronaviruses.

This new variant could trigger a new wave of infections or further exacerbate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, researchers at the World Health Organization are measuring the variant's ability to spread globally.

About the B.1.1.529 variant

Researchers from Botswana have found that the B.1.1.529 variant has more than 30 new mutations in its spike protein after genetic testing. It is well known that the spike protein is the main target of the new coronavirus to identify host cells and activate the human immune response. Previously, the Delta and Alpha variants were also more contagious and able to evade antibody blocking due to changes in the spike protein.

According to Dr. Richard Lessells' investigation, cases in Johannesburg increased rapidly in November, especially among students and young people. Similarly, Tulio de Oliveira's team found that all cases were infected with the B.1.1.529 variant after genetic sequencing of 77 cases collected in the province.

Preliminary results from these investigations suggest that the B.1.1.529 variant may be more contagious and is already spreading globally. To further understand the threat posed by the B.1.1.529 variant, researchers are tracking it closely.

In addition to infectiousness, the research team led by Professor Penny Moor is also studying the current COVID-19 vaccine's ability to defend against the B.1.1.529 variant. Due to a large number of mutations in the spike protein region of the B.1.1.529 variant, the antibodies produced by previous vaccines may not be able to effectively capture these viruses, and their effectiveness will decrease.

(Source: Pixabay)

Professor Penny Moor said: "We know that mutations in the spike protein may further help the virus evade antibodies, and our computer modelling results show that the B.1.1.529 variant may even be able to evade another part of the immune system - T cells."

Overall, the B.1.1.529 variant has shown a trend of rapid spread. However, the infectivity, pathogenicity and immune escape of the B.1.1.529 variant are still unclear. Therefore, it is urgent for researchers to investigate these issues.

How to deal with the B.1.1.529 variant

The World Health Organization has arranged an emergency meeting to discuss the impact of the B.1.1.529 variant on the new coronavirus epidemic and response measures.

At the meeting, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for Covid-19 at the WHO, said, "At present, we don't know much about the B.1.1.529 variant. What is worrying is that its spike protein contains a large number of genetic mutations, which is not a good sign."

Image | Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove (Source: WHO)

Similarly, South African Minister of Health Joe Phaahla also stated at the meeting, “In recent days, new crown cases in Gauteng Province have spread rapidly. As more people enter Gauteng Province in the future, the number of people infected with the B.1.1.529 variant will increase further. Unfortunately, this variant has also been found in Botswana and Hong Kong.”

Currently, the UK has announced a ban on flights to six African countries, including South Africa, to prevent the B.1.1.529 variant from spreading to the UK.

The team led by Dr. Van Kerkhove is also studying the spike protein of the B.1.1.529 variant, trying to understand the impact of this mutation on the diagnosis, treatment and vaccination of the new coronavirus. At the same time, the World Health Organization decided to list the B.1.1.529 variant as a variant of concern, which will be assigned a Greek name later.

References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03552-w
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/25/who-calls-special-meeting-to-discuss-new-covid-variant-from-south-africa-with-large-number-of-mutations.html

Written by: Zhu Hengheng Edited by: Wang Haha Layout by: Li Xuewei

Source: Academic Headlines